On August 29, 2024, at approximately 11:36AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity in the 1800 block of Courtland Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. During the investigation, Clarence Lewis, 51 of Wayland, was arrested for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor) and transported to the Henry County Jail.

A Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a single vehicle accident over the weekend. Approximately 40 minutes after midnight, the deputy arrived on scene to the 6000 block Avenue O and found a pickup truck and house fully engulfed.

After speaking with the driver, 39-year-old Ricardo Vidal of Fort Madison, the deputy believed that he was under the influence of alcohol, however, he refused to test. A search warrant was obtained, and lab results are pending.

According to the report, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Avenue O before it went off the right shoulder, through part of a field, cutting an Alliant Energy utility wire, and finally driving into the residence. Vidal stated that he does not know what happened and that it was a freak accident. Property damage to the house was estimated at $80,000, with an additional $1500 for the utility pole wires, and the vehicle was totaled.

Both the driver and the passenger of the pickup were transported by EMS with visible injuries.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Dodds Family of Des Moines County on Thursday, September 5. The presentation will take place at an event beginning at 11 a.m. at their family farm located near New London.

Established in 1837 and recognized as a Heritage Farm (owned by the same family for 150 years) at the 2021 Iowa State Fair, Dodds Farms is operated by Brad and Tiffany Dodds. They are the parents of Ellsie and Layne. The farm has one full-time employee, Kyle Boeding, as well as five part-time employees: Evan Beckman, Erik Beckman, Lance Thomas, Ron Pilling, and Sean Wyett. Brad’s mother Joan Dodds is still actively involved in the operations of the farm. Brad’s father Herb Dodds, while retired, and his aunt, Nancy Hamann, are also both important to the ongoing success of the farm.

“To be recognized as a Heritage Farm is an amazing milestone. To keep a farm in the family for over 150 years is not easy and that’s a testament to the Dodds’ commitment to progress and innovation as well as their grit, determination and resilience. Generation after generation, the Dodds have taken good care of their land and livestock while also being deeply ingrained into their community,” said Secretary Naig. “I am pleased to present the Dodds Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”

Livestock production has always been important to the Dodds. Today, the farm includes pork production, but previously the family operated a dairy. They maintain fully automated climate-controlled barns to ensure that their pigs are comfortable and productive. They maintain certification in the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) program.

Manure from their pigs is used as a natural fertilizer for their crops, which include corn, soybeans, hay and wheat. They incorporate conservation on their fields to improve water quality and enhance the health of the soil. They utilize strip tillage and incorporate saturated buffers, terraces, and enroll some acres in CRP. They test for nitrogen availability prior to side-dress application to ensure that their corn is getting only the nutrients needed at an optimal time. For the past five years, they’ve been seeding cover crops, including rye and spring barley.

The Dodds Family is involved in their community through the coaching of basketball, softball and t-ball. They also are active financial supporters of their local FFA chapter.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible through a partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), The Big Show on WHO Radio and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Now in its 20th year, this award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock while also being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion was a smashing success once again with visitors from all over coming to Mount Pleasant for a long weekend of fun. The intense heat on Thursday, mixed with heavy rain on Friday, clearly did not deter the public. Speaking with Terry McWilliams, CEO of Midwest Old Threshers, the total hard ticket sale admission for this year is 35,707.  Since 2016, this number of over 35,000 has remained “pretty consistent” and the past 3 years have seen 35, 36, and 37,000. Next year’s reunion dates are already planned for August 28^th – September 1^st, 2025.